Blue Dart unveiled its largest Green Integrated Ground Hub (in Pataudi, Haryana to bring multiple operations under one roof to boost connectivity, scalability, and efficiency across Blue Dart’s nationwide express network, while furthering its sustainability agenda, said statement. Spanning 50,558 sqm, the facility integrates e-commerce, domestic express, and ground shipments under one consolidated operation. Located 50 km away from New Delhi airport, the Pataudi hub offers seamless multimodal connectivity with Delhi-NCR and key national expressways. Its location enables Centre of Gravity optimisation, reducing vehicle movement by 30 per cent and improving throughput speed by 10 per cent, making it a critical logistics hub for North India.

Vikram Kumar, Vice President, ACAAI, said, “ACAAI represents the voice of freight forwarders, consolidators, and logistics service providers in key policy forums. Our role is to ensure alignment between private sector needs and government policies — whether it is customs modernisation, digital transformation, or infrastructure planning. We engage regularly with MoCA, DGFT, DPIIT, DGCA, BCAS, CBDT and CBIT to ensure that cargo-specific concerns are heard and acted upon. Beyond advocacy, we support capacity building, training, and information-sharing across the ecosystem.”

Kuehne+Nagel (KN) is planning to invest in five new fulfilment centres in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Nagpur, Mumbai and Rajpura, adding 100,000 sqm of capacity, stated a company statement. This expansion will increase the company’s fulfilment centre footprint in India to nearly 500,000 sqm. The new fulfilment centres are equipped with technologies, such as telescopic conveyors and high-performance sorting systems, enabling a 75 per cent increase in peak order handling capacity. The fulfilment centres have come up in Mumbai and Kolkata, Gurugram, Nagpur, and Rajpura. They are aligned with India’s multicity industrial growth. Gurugram and Nagpur continue to evolve as growth hubs for multiple industries, while Rajpura, is gaining traction in manufacturing and distribution.

Aeroprime Group was recognised for its outstanding performance and operational excellence by winning the Leading Cargo GSSA of the Year Award at the India Cargo Awards 2025, held recently in New Delhi. The accolade underscores the firm’s commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and customer-centric cargo services in India’s dynamic air cargo sector.  

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, virtually inaugurated the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub and flagged off two new door-to-door freight and parcel services recently, according to a company release. Located 50 km away from Lucknow and 20 km from Kanpur, the terminal aims to meet the growing logistics needs of the two regions with end-to-end solutions, such as door-to-door delivery, distribution hubs, and inventory management services. All terminal ops will be managed by Container Corporation of India, which will ensure first- and last-mile connectivity for efficient cargo movement. The hub is designed to handle commodities such as fertiliser, foodgrain, cement, and tractors. This development may play a key role in enhancing regional trade efficiency, supporting businesses, and driving growth in India’s integrated logistics infra, the statement added.

Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO & MD, Aviapro Logistic Services, stressing the industry’s focus on skill development and digital transformation, said “The industry is engaged in upskilling its workforce through targeted training in automation, AI, and digital tools — WMS and e-documentation.” Firms are partnering with tech providers and institutions to offer certification programmes, workshops, and on-the-job training, with focus on digital literacy, data analytics, and process optimisation to build a future-ready, tech-savvy workforce. “Logistics firms must collaborate with academia and skill varsities by co-developing industry-aligned curricula, offering real-world case studies, and facilitating internships or apprenticeships.”

Gateway Distriparks has completed its first double-stack train service from Ankleshwar Multimodal Logistics Park to Garhi Inland Container Depot on 15 October. The inaugural train, operating under a hub-and-spoke model, carried a mix of EXIM and domestic containers, linking cargo movements from JNPT to Garhi ICD via Ankleshwar, said Samvid Gupta, Joint MD, Gateway Distriparks, “This initiative reinforces our commitment to providing seamless, cost-effective, and sustainable logistics solutions across India,” he added. EXIM ops from Ankleshwar are expected to commence, beginning next fiscal, aligned with the DFC connectivity to Nhava Sheva. This integration will enhance double-stack capacity, enabling more efficient cargo movement between ports and industrial hubs.

Air cargo expert Jalpa H. Vithalani was honoured with the Women Business Professional of the Year Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025 in New Delhi. Recognised for her outstanding contributions to the air cargo and logistics sector, Jalpa’s leadership and expertise continue to inspire professionals across the industry.  

The global air cargo market is projected to see 3 to 4 per cent demand growth in 2025 based on current trading conditions, according to industry analysts Xeneta.  “Over the past two months, air cargo benefited from ‘piggybacking’ on global uncertainty, whether through frontloading supply chains or shifting from ocean to air to move goods faster before tariffs took effect,” said Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer, Xeneta. “September’s figures suggest this trend is easing as stability returns to major corridors and global trade becomes less turbulent,” he added. After unexpectedly strong volumes over the summer, September’s data signalled a slowdown as the industry headed into the final quarter. Marking the start of the peak season, September recorded just over 3 per cent year-on-year growth, matching capacity expansion, compared with over 5 per cent growth in July and August. Month-on-month volumes rose by a modest 3 per cent.  

Dinesh Krishnan, Honorary Treasurer, ACAAI, said, “The aim of the convention is to outline actionable growth strategies for the air cargo industry amid global turbulence. This year’s focus goes beyond basic digitalisation toward achieving true end-to-end visibility and data integration through ULIP and IATA’s ONE Record. The convention will address key challenges such as infra bottlenecks, high dwell times, capacity shortages, and regulatory delays, while pushing for 24×7 customs clearance to strengthen India’s position as a regional hub. It will examine the impact of protectionism, regional conflicts, and sustainability imperatives, including SAF and green logistics. The goal is to foster consensus among regulators, airlines, airports, and forwarders, aligning ops with logistics objectives and bringing global best practices to India. ACAAI is set to host its 49th Annual Convention in Bali from 6–9 November.